Inzamam in contention for Test series against SA

Pakistani selectors say that they will consider former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for the Test series, provided he is fit enough.

Pakistani selectors offered a new lease of life to former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's career, saying that they would consider him for the Test series against South Africa, provided he is fit enough.

"I don't know why people have any doubt over our intention to consider Inzamam for the Test series. He himself is keen to play in this level of cricket and if he is fit and in form he will be a leading contender," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.

The selectors have announced a week-long fitness camp for some players prior to the Twenty20 World Championship in the first week of September.

"Since the South Africans arrive in Pakistan immediately after the Twenty20 World Cup is held we don't have the time to hold fitness trials of the players. So we are planning to have a week-long camp before the team's departure," he said.

He said Inzamam would be invited for the fitness camp to be supervised by specialists.

"There is no doubt about his record and standing. We just want to be sure that Inzamam is 100 per cent for the rigours of Test cricket and this rule applies to other players as well," a Pakistan Cricket Board official said.

Inzamam, who retired from one-day internationals and stepped down from the captaincy during the World Cup, has reacted sharply to doubts cast on his fitness.

"I have played cricket for all these years because I was fit. I have maintained before if I am destined to play Test cricket no one can stop me," he added.

The fitness camp is likely to be held under the supervision of new coach, Australian Geoff Lawson.